Myofascial force transmission between the ankle and the dorsal knee: an in vivo investigation using high-resolution ultrasound imaging.
- Conditions
- healty participants
- Registration Number
- DRKS00024420
- Lead Sponsor
- Goethe-Universität Frankfurt; Institut für Sportwissenschaften; Abteilung für Sportmedizin und Leistungsphysiologie
- Brief Summary
A recent in-vivo experiment has shown that force can be transmitted between the gastrocnemius and the hamstring muscles due to a direct tissue continuity. However, it remains unclear if this mechanical interaction is affected by the stiffness of the structural connection. This study therefore aimed to investigate the impact of the knee angle on myofascial force transmission across the dorsal knee. A randomized, cross-over study was performed, including n = 56 healthy participants (25.36 ± 3.9 years, 25 females). On two separate days, they adopted a prone position on an isokinetic dynamometer (knee extended or 60° flexed). In each condition, the device moved the ankle three times from maximal plantarflexion to maximal dorsal extension. Muscle inactivity was ensured using EMG. High-resolution ultrasound videos of the semimembranosus (SM) and the gastrocnemius medialis (GM) soft tissue were recorded. Maximal horizontal tissue displacement, obtained using cross-correlation, was examined as a surrogate of force transmission. SM tissue displacement was higher at extended (4.83 ± 2.04 mm) than at flexed knees (3.81 ± 2.36 mm). Linear regression demonstrated significant associations between (1) SM and GM soft tissue displacement (extended: R2 = 0.18, p = 0.001; flexed: R2 = 0.17, p = 0.002) as well as (2) SM soft tissue displacement and ankle range of motion (extended: R2 = 0.103, p = 0.017; flexed: R2 = 0.095, p = 0.022). Our results further strengthen the evidence that local stretching induces a force transmission to neighboring muscles. Resulting remote exercise effects such as increased range of motion, seem to depend on the stiffness of the continuity.
- Detailed Description
Not available
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- Complete
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 56
Voluntary participation and consent; understanding of the nature, scope, significance, and consequences of the investigation (fully capable of legal action).
severe orthopedic, cardiovascular, neurological, endocrine and psychiatric diseases; acute inflammation; intake of drugs that modify pain perception and proprioception; delayed onset muscle soreness; pregnancy or nursing period; history of surgery in the lower limb; skin allergies, especially to ultrasound gel
Study & Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Study Design
- Not specified
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Horizontal displacement (mm) of the dorsal thigh's soft tissue in the ultrasound video (calculated using cross correlation).
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Effect of the knee angle on soft tissue displacement